The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-25
The Oldest Man on Earth.
Laredo (Ter.) Letter to the st. Louis Globe
Democrat

Laredo (Ter) Letter to the ST. Louis Globe
Democrat.
James James, a negro, and. citizen of the
United States, who resides at Santa Rosa
Mexico is probably the oldest man on earth. He
was born near Dorchester. S. c., in 1862 and
while an infant was removed TO Midway river,
Ga, in the same year that Franklin brought
down electricity from the thunder clouds. In
1712 there was quite an immigration into South
Carolina, and his master, James James from
whom he takes his name). moved near Charles
ton, s. c., in company with number of his
neighbors. On June 4, f776, when "a years of
age, a large British feet. under Sir Peter Par
ker, arrived off Charleston. The citizens had
erected palmetto wood fort on Sullivan,s
Island, with twcnty-SiX guns, manned by 800
troops under Col. Moultrie, and on June
. the British made an attack by land and
water, and were compelled to withdraw after q
| ten-hOurS' conflict 1t was during this fight
| that Sergt. Jasper distinguished himself by re-
placing, the flag, which had been shot away
| upon the bastion, on a new staff. His mas
ter, james james, manned one Of the guns in
this fight, and Jim, the subject of this setch,
and four other slaves were employed around
| the fort az ee1er,l aborerS. Jim followed his
masts thro shcht this war, and we with Gen.
Moutrie, atI''ss Royal, $. G.. Feb; ,, l759.Yhen
| Moutrie' defeated the combined British forces
of Pr ,y,Tt and CampbclL His N ister was sur
rendered by Cen. LINCOLN at Charleston, S c.
Feb. II, 1850. to the British forces, and this
ends Jm's military career.
! He remembers Of the rejoicing in 1792
! throughout the country in consequence Of
| Washington's election to the Presidency, he
then being 20 years of age In this year his first
master died, age about 50 years Jim then be
C anne property of the "Msrse Henry (IICnry
James, owning large estates and about thirty
slaves, near Charleston. On account of having
raised ''Marse Henry jim was a special favor
tie with his master and yaS allowed to do as he
choose. His second MASTER, Henry, died in
1873 about 81 years of age and jim, now 81
years OF age, became the property
OF James James, HenrlsS second
son. In 1893 the railroad from
Charleston to Hamburg, S. c., was com
pletcd. then the longest railroad in the wo-d
and Jim, with bis master took ;yip over the
road, and was shown special favors on account
of his age, now eighty-one. James James was
ten years OF age at his father death, and when
he became Of age iuhertcd large estates, slaves
etc, among whom were told Uncle Jim" and
his family James James lived in South Carroll
ma until 1855. when he moved 10 Texas with all
his slaves. James desired that his slaves should
be free at his death, and in 1853 moved into
MaXico, so that thcy could be free before bis
death. James returned tn the United
States and died In Texas and in
1855 after there were no longer slaves in the
United States, Uncle Jim's children and grand
children returned 10 the United States. Five
yeas ago at the age Of 100, Jim could do light
chores, but subsisted mostly by contributions
from the citizens, but for the past two years.
part in his little jacal, his wants being supplied
by generous neighbors. The rhellhatIsm In bis
legs prevents him from walking. but yet he has
sufficient strength In his arms 10 drag himself n
short distance fifty yards or morc-And readily
took position on the outside of his cabin to en-
able the Globe Democrat correspondent 10 make
his photograph